Eight Simple Steps to Raising a Happy and Healthy Kitten
- Annual Exam
2. Early Testing -FELV/FIV
- Feline Leukemia and Feline Aids are two fatal diseases that suppress a cats immune system
- Early Detection is vital since these diseases are almost always fatal
- These diseases can stay dormant in a cats system, showing no symptoms, for many months or years.
- These diseases are spread directly from cat to cat.
- Vaccinations
- Vaccines reduce the risk of obtaining many lethal and untreatable diseases.
- Kittens require a series of vaccines to establish immunity from a variety of diseases.
- Vaccine protocols vary from patient to patient, so an exact schedule should be discussed with your veterinarian.
I. Essential Vaccines
A) Distemper/Upper Respiratory vaccine-
-Feline Rhinotracheitis, Panleukopenia and Calici virus.
B)Rabies
C) Feline Leukemia
3) Spay or Neuter your pet
- This reduces the risk of developing various diseases including cancer
- This also reduces the risk of developing negative behavior traits, such as aggression, and roaming
- Helps control the pet population
- We recommend spaying and neutering at 6 - 9 MONTHS of age.
***This will decrease your pet’s energy needs, so please decrease their food by 20%.
4) Fecal Exams
a) There are many kinds of intestinal parasites that your cat can become infected with.
Many of these parasites can cause infection in humans, especially children.
b) Fecal exams are recommended on all Kitten visits. Intestinal parasites are acquired by
kittens from their mother or the environment.
c) Two negative fecal tests are required to determine a kitten is clear of parasites.
d) A yearly fecal exam is recommended to rule out intestinal parasites.
5) Flea and Tick Control
lethargy, hair loss, intestinal and blood borne parasites; as well as owner infestation.
b) Prevention is much easier than treating a flea infestation, since fleas can live and
reproduce in your house
c) Tick infestation can lead to the spread of many diseases.
- It only takes one tick to spread disease
d) We recommend using Frontline once a month to prevent Fleas and Ticks
6) Permanent identification for your pet- MICROCHIPS
a) NEVER lose your loved one
b) Microchips are placed between the shoulder blades of your pet.
c) Microchips are encoded with a unique serial number that supplies the finder with your
name and address.
d) All animal shelters and veterinary hospitals have a scanner to identify and return your
loved one.
e) We recommend Microchip implantation for all pets at time of sterilization
f) Millions of pets are euthanized each year because their owners cannot be located. Do not
let this happen to your loved one.
g) This is especially important in cats, since most do not wear collars and therefore have no
means of identification.
7) Provide a High Quality Food
- A well balanced diet is essential to maintaining a healthy pet.
- Eating a high quality food will reduce the risk of developing many diseases; including skin disorders, allergic reactions, urinary tract disease and more.
c) We recommend Royal Canin, Hills Science Diet or Purina as a high quality food source for your pet. These three companies develop specialized diets for your pet with the knowledge that nutrition is important in the prevention of diseases. Consistency is one major benefit of these three companies. They invest a lot of time and money, researching, testing and developing their diets to ensure your pet is receiving a safe and properly balanced diet. Although many companies are recommending “holistic” or “natural” diets today, these terms indicate a marketing strategy and not an ingredient list. Holistic and natural are not terms regulated by the FDA.
Commonly Asked Questions
How often should I feed my kitten?
Kittens benefit from several small meals rather than one or two large meals. Adult cats should have at least two meals a day. Remember the quantity and frequency of feeding should be based on the cat’s age and activity level. If a cat is able to control his/her own weight while free feeding small meals throughout the day, this is the best for them.
What kind of litter is best for my cat?
Most cats enjoying being able to dig in their litter. A clay litter is usually best for allowing the most natural setting for them. Fragrances and colors are for you not them and therefore are not necessary. You should have 1 litter box per cat and 1 per floor of your house.
How often should I clip my cat’s nails?
Once a month you should clip your cats’ nails. Cats need scratching post to manicure their nails and allow for appropriate scratching. Our staff can train you on how to properly trim your pets’ nails.
How often should I clean my cat’s ears?
Cleaning your cat’s ears at least once a month can help prevent ear infections. Cleanings may need to be done more or less often depending on your cats wax production.
How can I prevent my kitten from biting?
Your kitten naturally explores their world and plays through tasting and play biting, especially if they are teething. Teething can occur anytime between 2-7 months. Making sure your kitten has a wide variety of chew toys can alleviate the urge for your kitten to chew on you. Spray bottles can be used as punishment to discourage inappropriate play.
How can I make my pet’s visit to the Hospital a good experience?
The Veterinary Hospital is a busy and noisy place. This can be a stressful environment for some pets to visit. Keeping your pets on leash or in a carrier can give you and your pet some peace of mind. Bringing along your pets favorite toy, blanket, or treats can also provide comfort. If your pet seems nervous or scared try not to coddle them or panic yourself. This can accidentally encourage their nervous behavior. Instead, try to distract them with familiar words or commands like sit, stay, etc. Practice looking in your pet’s ears, eyes, mouth, and have them stand for an exam at home. This can make it seem routine when your pet comes for their yearly physical.